Shloka 36
Bhṛgu Tests the Trimūrti; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Visit Mahā-Viṣṇu and Recover the Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
स उपस्पृश्य शुच्यम्भो नमस्कृत्य महेश्वरम् । दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि संस्मृत्य सज्यं गाण्डीवमाददे ॥ ३६ ॥
sa upaspṛśya śucy ambho namaskṛtya maheśvaram divyāny astrāṇi saṁsmṛtya sajyaṁ gāṇḍīvam ādade
అతడు పవిత్ర జలాన్ని స్పర్శించి ఆచమనం చేసి, మహేశ్వరునికి నమస్కరించి, దివ్యాస్త్ర మంత్రాలను స్మరించి, గాండీవానికి నారిని ఎక్కించాడు.
The ācāryas point out that since the brāhmaṇa had disrespected Lord Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna tactfully offered his obeisances instead to Lord Śiva, who had taught Arjuna how to use the mantras of the Pāśupāta weapon.
FAQs
This verse shows the traditional sequence: first purification with pure water, then offering respects to a deity (here Lord Śiva), and then mentally remembering (invoking) the divine weapons—indicating that spiritual and ritual purity precede the use of extraordinary power.
Arjuna honors Maheśvara as a great lord and devotee of the Supreme, seeking auspiciousness and proper empowerment before recalling and employing divine astras, reflecting humility and adherence to dharma.
Before undertaking an intense or high-stakes task, first become inwardly and outwardly “clean” (calm, focused, disciplined), offer respect to the divine, and then proceed with clear remembrance of your skills and responsibilities.